30 of the Best Winter Garden Plants 

Gardeners know that winter is the perfect time for plants to take a break and recover before spring. Here are 30 of our favorite indoor-friendly plants that will keep your home looking beautiful through January and February.

The “what trees can you plant in february” is a question that has been asked many times. The best answer to this question is 30 of the best winter garden plants.

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We’ve got trees, shrubs, ground cover, climbers, and bulbs for your winter garden!

The hue of the leaves on certain winter garden plants is appealing. Some are known for their tough blooms. The color of their stems and branches makes others stand out. Or for their catkin or berry displays.

We’ve chosen the finest from each of these categories for you – mixing and matching various kinds of winter garden plants will truly make your area pop.

Trees, shrubs, bulbs, climbing plants, and low-growing ground coverings are examples of winter garden plants.

In our list below, we’ve checked all of these boxes for you, so all you have to do now is choose your favorites. The following are the top 30 Plants for a Winter Garden.

30 Plants for a Winter Garden

1. Roses of Christmas, Lent, and Hellebore

Helleborus (botanical name)

Hellebores have lustrous, dark green leaves that cover the ground wonderfully. Flowers with golden stamens are white, pink, or even plum-purple-green.

Early in the year, they provide good nectar sources for bees. As if preserved, the blossoms might hang softly on the shrub for months.

Honeysuckle with winter flowers

Lonicera fragrantissima is its botanical name.

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Honeysuckle has a lovely aroma, and this winter version is no different. Honeysuckle is another name for it.

This winter garden plant provides both smell and color. It’s a strong climber that can scale a trellis or a wall.

Crabapple, number three

Malus (botanical name)

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If you have the room, a crabapple tree is well worth the investment. The apples will take on a winter tint and will remain on the tree throughout the winter.

They may also be used to make crabapple jelly. However, leave a few on the tree for the colors. They’re also popular with birds.

4. Hazel (Witch Hazel)

Hamamelis (botanical name)

A beautiful shrub for the winter garden. Nothing else has the same appearance as witch hazel. On bare branches, it exhibits bursts of brilliant red to orange and yellow streamer-like blooms.

It will reach a height of 15 feet. Flowers coil themselves up on chilly days.

Snowdrop No. 5

Galanthus (botanical name)

Snowdrops, one of the most beautiful winter garden plants, will bloom before many other flowers. There are hundreds of variations, and snowdrop collecting is a popular pastime. Galanthus nivalis is an excellent option for sheer beauty and simplicity.

6. Aconite (winter)

Eranthis (botanical name)

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Even the coldest of gardens are brightened by vivid yellow blooms.

In the winter, these buttercup-like blossoms are a pleasant sight. In dark or forested regions, plant snowdrop bulbs together; they should blossom at the same time.

Stonecrop of Tiny Buttons

Sedum hispanicum is its botanical name.

Drought-tolerant, fantastic for ground cover, and low-maintenance, stonecrops are beneficial plants. Many, like this type, are very hardy and look lovely in the winter garden.

Sedum hispanicum grows into a lovely blue-grey carpet with reddish-purple undertones.

Dogwood, no. 8

Cornus (botanical name)

The dogwood plant’s brilliant crimson branches brighten a gloomy day. They’re ideal for the winter garden.

Colorful branches like these look great when paired with evergreen foliage and winter blossoms from other plants. A good option is Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire.’

9. Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica is its botanical name.

From winter until spring, these hardy evergreen plants yield beautiful blooms. They provide a burst of color to the room.

during the colder months Japanese camellias come in a staggering 30,000 distinct types.

Crocus 10

Crocus tommasinianus is a botanical name for late winter and early spring blooms.

Beautiful golden-orange stamen cups in vibrant purples, mauves, whites, and yellows.

Crocuses look best when planted in huge clusters. Bees adore them because they give nectar early in the season; they even sleep in crocus blossoms on occasion. Isn’t it adorable?

11. Jasmine de hiver

Jasminum nudiflorum is its botanical name.

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The beautiful yellow star-shaped blossoms of winter jasmine emerge in January, brightening up chilly winter days. On long willow-like branches, the blooms develop before the leaves. Growing this sturdy plant over a wall looks fantastic.

12. holly in America

Ilex opaca (botanical name)

The crimson berries of holly, another winter staple, are a popular choice for Christmas décor. Holly may grow to be 30 feet tall and 20 feet broad, but it grows slowly – around 6 inches every year.

ice plant, stonecrop, fat hen

Hylotelephium spectabile is another name for Sedum spectabile.

Although not officially a winter flowering plant, the seedheads are lovely when left on the plants over the colder months. They look fantastic in the ice and snow.

Hundreds of small blooms are grouped in clusters similar to broccoli florets. All year long, this shrub is stunning.

Clematis with winter blooms

Clematis cirrhosa is the botanical name.

In late winter and early spring, this lovely climbing shrub blooms. The Balearica cultivar has stunning creamy-white blossoms with pink speckles.

As the temperature decreases, the evergreen foliage becomes purple and golden. Winter garden plants that are stunning.

Oregon grapes, no. 15

Mahonia (botanical name)

Mahonia blooms with arching stalks of yellow flowers throughout the winter. With its spectacular hanging purple fruits and evergreen leaves, it’s a lovely shrub to look at at any time of year. Its dimensions are 20ft x 20ft.

Pussy willow, no. 16

Salix caprea (botanical name)

The pussy willow tree is a lovely addition to the garden in the late winter and early spring. It may be grown as a huge shrub or allowed to grow into a tree. As the pollen ripens, the gorgeous grey silky catkins become brilliant yellow.

17. Kale, or decorative cabbage

Brassica oleracea (Botanical name)

Brassica leaves in winter have beautiful purple, blue, and green colours. When you use them as a background for yellow, purple, and white winter garden plants, the colors truly pop.

18. Japanese andromeda, Japanese pieris

Pieris japonica (botanical name)

This evergreen plant is attractive all year long. In the winter, the leaves of Pieris japonica ‘Crimson Head’ are brilliant red, becoming green as the white flowers bloom in the spring.

Pieris, or lily of the valley shrub, has blooms that resemble lily of the valley blossoms.

Winterberry, no. 19

Ilex verticillata (botanical name)

Winterberry, another Ilex species, produces multitudes of vivid red fruits throughout the winter. The berries shine out on barren branches on this species of holly, which is deciduous.

There are several variations to choose from. A common option is ‘Winter Red.’

Heath in the winter

Erica carnea (botanical name)

Winter heaths are low-growing evergreen plants that provide great groundcover. Pink, white, purple, and red varieties are available. For a stunning winter show, combine with crocuses, scillas, and miniature irises.

21. Persian violet, Cyclamen

Cyclamen coum (botanical name)

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Cyclamen blooms are sturdy and can withstand freezing conditions. A wonderful display of winter garden plants may be created by planting groups of white and green snowdrops, vivid yellow winter aconites, and purple cyclamen.

Squill (number 22)

Scilla (botanical name)

Scilla bifolia, or Alpine Squill, is one of the first bulbs to sprout in the garden. For a late-winter show, Scilla siberica is also a good option. The blossoms have a deep blue color.

Violet, Violet, Violet

Viola odorata (botanical name)

The blooms themselves smell wonderful and peek their heads above the lovely heart-shaped foliage. Violets have a lot going for them. They begin to emerge in shaded areas of the garden in late winter.

Winter pansy (number 24)

Viola (botanical name)

In warm climes, some pansies may blossom throughout winter. On evergreen leaves, Viola ‘Celestial Midnight’ features beautiful deep purple, burgundy, and yellow blossoms.

Snowflake in the spring

Leucojum vernum is its botanical name.

The spring snowflake is a snowdrop-like plant that blooms at the same time as Galanthus. Its white bell-shaped flowers dangle down from graceful green stalks. They grow from bulbs, like many other winter-flowering plants.

Black chokeberry (no. 26)

Aronia melanocarpa is its botanical name.

This is a plant that may be used in any season. It looks fantastic all year. At the end of the year, the purple-red foliage is complemented with magnificent black berries that last far into the winter.

Speedwell, number 27

Veronica umbrosa (botanical name)

This low-growing groundcover plant produces masses of beautiful vivid blue blooms. They emerge in early spring in warm areas. For robustness, choose ‘Georgia Blue.’ Weeds are effectively smothered.

28. Iris dwarf

Iris reticulata is its botanical name.

Any late winter day will be brightened by groups of deep purple dwarf irises intermingled with winter aconites and snowdrops. These irises reach a height of around 5 inches, and there are several types to pick from.

Spindle No. 29

Euonymus europeaus (botanical name)

A beautiful bush. One of the greatest plants for the winter garden. The leaves become a rich crimson color, while the fruits are brilliant pink and break open to show beautiful orange seeds. Spindle makes a strong statement. It may reach 10 feet tall and 8 feet broad.

Wintercreeper (number 30)

Euonymus fortunei (botanical name)

Grow this plant for the leaves. It’s excellent for choking out weeds. In the winter, the golden and green leaves will spread like a carpet and bring color. The purple wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei ‘Colorata’ is one of our favorites.

The “winter garden plants for sale” is a guide to 30 of the best winter garden plants. The list includes some common, and not-so-common plants that are perfect for your winter garden.

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